2021 Ford Explorer problems and complaints
Owners have filed 455 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Ford Explorer. The most-reported areas: Power Train (128), Unknown Or Other (86), Engine (51).
Key takeaways
- 455 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
- 15 involve a crash, 6 a fire, 18 reported injuries.
- Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 128 | 28% |
| Unknown Or Other | 86 | 19% |
| Engine | 51 | 11% |
| Electrical System | 48 | 11% |
| Back Over Prevention | 36 | 8% |
| Visibility/Wiper | 30 | 7% |
| Structure | 25 | 5% |
| Service Brakes | 24 | 5% |
| Visibility | 21 | 5% |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 19 | 4% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 19 | 4% |
| Seats | 18 | 4% |
One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
Parts for the 2021 Ford Explorer
GarageDex's verified specs for this car. Each Buy button searches Amazon for that exact part.
- Battery
- Engine oil
- Oil filter
- Engine air filter
- Cabin air filter
- Wiper blades
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| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Ford Explorer SUV 4WD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| 2021 Ford Explorer SUV RWD | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Latest complaints, as filed
Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.
Visibility/Wiper - filed 2026-11-03
My 2021 Ford Explorer is subject to safety recall 26S14/NHTSA 26V117. Ford announced this recall in March 2026, but as of November 3, 2026, Ford still identifies the remedy as unavailable. Authorized dealers cannot inspect, repair, or close the recall. The unresolved recall prevents lawful use of the vehicle on a car-s...
Power Train,seats,visibility/Wiper - filed 2026-11-02
Here's the updated submission, without the engine paragraph. **Form fields** - **VIN:** 1FM5K8GC7MGA77908 - **Incident date:** today's date - **Crash / fire / injury:** No - **Components:** Visibility (Windshield Wiper/Washer), Power Train (Automatic Transmission), Seats **Narrative** ``` I am filing because my 2021...
Steering - filed 2026-11-02
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Explorer. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH and making a left turn, the steering wheel suddenly became difficult to turn, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle, and the vehicle crashed into a concrete wall barrier. The vehicle sustained severe damages on...
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More for the 2021 Ford Explorer
Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.